Liverpool salvage nervy 1-1 draw with Sunderland at Anfield

LIVERPOOL, England, Dec 3 : Liverpool's blushes were spared as Florian Wirtz's shot was deflected in off Nordi Mukiele to salvage a 1-1 draw with Sunderland at Anfield on Wednesday after Chemsdine Talbi had put the visitors ahead.

The champions, whose 2-0 victory over West Ham United on Sunday ended their worst run in over 70 years, remained eighth in the table on 22 points, 11 behind leaders Arsenal after another worrying performance.

Their late equaliser spared them from what would have been a 10th defeat in 14 games across all competitions. 

The visitors, who are sixth on 23 points, were the better team for much of the game and looked poised to taste victory for the first time at Anfield since 1983 after Talbi scored in the 67th minute. Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk gave the ball away and Talbi's shot then deflected off him into the net past Alisson. 

But German Wirtz, one of the Reds' key summer signings, celebrated what he thought was his first goal for Liverpool in the 81st minute to draw the home side level. Wirtz cut around two defenders before unleashing a shot, but its deflection off Mukiele meant it was awarded as an own goal.

"We wanted to win and we got the draw so unlucky," Wirtz told Sky Sports. "We are on a good way to come back and we are doing everything to come back and win games. We wanted the win today, we want to be on top of the table and we just have to keep working hard and hopefully things will change."

Sunderland's Wilson Isidor squandered a brilliant chance to win it in added time when he raced through on goal and around Alisson, but his shot was cleared off the line by Federico Chiesa.

Liverpool boss Arne Slot left talisman Mohamed Salah out of his starting lineup for the second successive game